The enquiry into the hooch tragedy in Karunapuram, Kallakurichi town was conducted by the Director of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes S. Ravivarman on Saturday, June 22, 2024.
The victims include forty-eight men and six women who died after consuming poisoned beer at Karunapuram on June 18. Most of those that succumbed between Tuesday and Saturday belonged to Karunapuram village.
At Government Kallakurichi Medical College Hospital he visited those admitted and made inquiries about the incident. He also went to Karunapuram which is the epicenter of this heartrending tragedy to meet relatives of victims.
Mr. Ravivarman told reporters that six persons were in critical condition among those admitted at Government Kallakurichi Medical College. The rest were stable and they were being given high quality treatment. He added that no case had been registered under SC/ST Act so far against hooch tragedy.
“No doubt these cannot fall within the purview of SC/ST Act,”. He said adding that there was evidence regarding officials allowing continuous sales of illicit arrack locally. Most affected families are dalits and therefore should be compelled authorities to resort to invoking provisions under the SC/ST Act, he said.
But Mr.Ravivarman said although Tamil Nadu government had acted promptly, officials found complicit must not go scot-free either. Village Administrative Officer (VAO). Revenue Inspector (RI) as well as police knew very well about selling illicit liquor in their area.
According to locals, he has been a prosperous bootlegger for ten years but another person supplied methanol; we need action against concerned officers under SC/ST Act.” Added Mr.Ravivarman who noted that commission would make submissions in two days time to its chairman and Centre.”
